Prairie Winds® Totem Pole Switch Grass

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6 Feet

Mature Spread

2.5 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

A particularly nice cultivar of a native North American grass, Prairie Winds Totem Pole Switch Grass makes a great addition to landscapes throughout most of the United States growing zones. Tall, upright columns of steel gray leaves erupt from the ground, occupying little space making it perfect for an upright feature in smaller gardens as well as for massing out in your landscape as a privacy screen or lovely border. These tough grasses will even control erosion on that hard to plant hillside with ease.

Native to North America and growing from Canada all the way down to Mexico, Switch Grass can grow in all but the most extreme hot and cold climates of the United States in Zones 4 to 9. Providing an interesting upright feature to your garden all summer long, it then bursts into golden seed heads in the fall and provides winter interest if left uncut. Tolerant of all soil types and thriving in clay soils, this versatile grass will find a happy home in your landscape this spring.

Prairie Winds® Totem Pole Switch Grass Care

Care and maintenance of your new grass could not get any simpler. Plant in full sun for sturdy strong stems. Water only in extreme dry periods once it is established and weekly until it is established. Growing best in clay soil, this perennial grass tolerates sandy poor soil as well as fertile soil. Prairie Winds Totem Pole does prefer an acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 for optimal performance. Deer and rabbits don’t tend to browse on it and it is drought tolerant as well as salt tolerant, giving Coastal gardeners and Northern gardeners a perennial grass that can take the salt along the coastal regions or from icy roads in northern regions. It will even handle brief flooding episodes without noticeable decline.

Deadheading is not needed and pruning should be reserved for late spring before the first new growth emerges. Cut clump down to a couple inches above soil level to give new growth less competition. Consider leaving seed heads for fall and winter interest and to allow songbirds to eat the seeds for valuable nutrients. Winter protection is not needed, but if concerned, add a good quality mulch to the root zone in harsh winter regions.

Prairie Winds® Totem Pole Switch Grass Spacing

Space your new grasses about 30 inches apart from other plants. This allows free air circulation and enhances the sway and movement in the wind, creating that attractive swishing noise that spawned the common name ‘Switch Grass’ for this perennial. Growing to about 72 inches tall and spreading out 30 inches, you will find this grass easy to incorporate into even the smaller garden spaces due to its small footprint. Whether using this for erosion control along your hillside, planting in a small garden for vertical interest, or massing out as a privacy screen along your driveway, you will appreciate Prairie Winds Totem Pole Switch Grass in your garden this spring!

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